When Can I Get Pregnant After Weight Loss Surgery?

Women who are obese or significantly overweight can often improve their fertility by losing weight, which can help stabilize their hormones among many other benefits. For those who choose to undergo weight loss surgery, it is important to understand the safest timeline for pregnancy following a bariatric procedure, which requires proper recovery and ongoing lifestyle changes. For most patients, our Chicago bariatric surgeons advise individuals to wait at least 12 to 18 months before trying to get pregnant following weight loss surgery. 

Bariatric surgery procedures, such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, are designed to help patients lose substantial amounts of weight, often in a somewhat rapid amount of time. During this process, the body experiences changes that can affect how vitamins and nutrients are absorbed and regulated to a new normal. As such, weight loss surgery patients need to ensure their nutrition levels are adequate to minimize certain complications. Waiting one to two years after weight loss surgery can improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and child delivery by reducing the risks of fetal malnutrition, low birth weight, a premature birth, stillbirth, and others. Another important reason to wait a safe amount of time is to reach a steady weight, as continuing to lose weight while pregnant can also deplete the required levels of nutrition to carry out a safe, successful pregnancy. 

Our dedicated surgeons are committed to helping patients accomplish healthy weight goals, which in turn can help them achieve other personal plans as well. We encourage individuals that have either completed surgery or are considering it to discuss any plans for pregnancy with their surgeon, family physician, and OB-GYN to make the best informed decision.

To learn more about weight loss surgery options, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified surgeons, please contact us today.